Jordan Peters, M.S.
Jordan Peters, M.S.
Executive Director, Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program
(315) 792-3237
Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program
What We Do
Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program empowers middle and high school students in the Utica City School District to strive for academic and personal success while providing Utica University students with transformative learning and service opportunities that foster community connections and promote an inclusive campus environment.
Office Location
121A White Hall
The Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program (YSLPP) is a multi-year collaborative project, established in 1993 with Utica University and the Utica City School District (UCSD). It is designed by education professionals to motivate diverse and talented students with potential to stay in school, earn a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation, and pursue post-secondary education. Young Scholars students participate in a comprehensive program providing academic, social, and cultural enrichment.
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Our Mission
Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program empowers middle and high school students in the Utica City School District to strive for academic and personal success while providing Utica University students with transformative learning and service opportunities that foster community connections and promote an inclusive campus environment.
Our Vision
Through educational and social skills development, the Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program enriches the community by motivating students to achieve college and career readiness for life-long success.
Our Goals
Students in the Young Scholars LPP participate in a comprehensive program providing academic, social and cultural enrichment. It is the intent of the Young Scholars LPP to help students achieve academic success by maintaining an A or B average, earning a New York State Regents Diploma with the Advanced Designation and enrolling in post-secondary education. The Young Scholars LPP also seeks to develop students' personal characteristics, making strong individuals who are invested in their community. Young Scholars LPP will strive to meet the needs of our students and families. Young Scholars LPP will continue to be a showcase program for Utica University and one of the premier programs for youth in the City of Utica.
The students enrolled in the Young Scholars program are reflective of Utica itself. Students in grades 7 and 8 attend either James H. Donovan Middle School or John F. Kennedy Middle School, while students in grades 9-12 attend T.R. Proctor High School. The ethnicity of the 349 YSLPP students includes African-American, Hispanic/Latin, Asian, Native American, White/Non-Hispanic, including recent immigrants from Bosnia, Russia, Belarus, the Ukraine, Myanmar and the Sudan.
Teaching about diversity is easy because the Young Scholars program lives it every day.
- 54 percent of Young Scholars are female
- 46 percent of Young Scholars are male
- 79 percent of Young Scholars are from minority or refugee populations
Class of 2021
| Enrollment Type: | Percent: |
|---|---|
| 4-year college | 48.9% |
| 2-year college | 26.7% |
| Technical School | 4.4% |
| Other | 20% |
College Placement
Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Clarkson University
Daemen College (2)
Mohawk Valley Community College (11)
The Ohio State University
OHM BOCES (2)
Onondaga Community College
Old Dominion University
Syracuse University
UAlbany
University at Buffalo
University of Hawaii
Utica University (11)
Wells College
Q. Who participates in the Young Scholars LPP?
Utica City School District teachers nominate sixth-grade students who are identified as possessing the potential for success in secondary and post-secondary school, but who may not achieve their full potential due to various social and economic risk factors. Each year, the Young Scholars LPP provides services to over 300 students that represent six cohort groups (grades 7 through 12).
Because parents and guardians play a vital role in their children's educational development, they are encouraged to take part in Program activities designed to provide ongoing support for and encouragement to participating students. Parents and guardians also have the opportunity to pursue their own personal development through Utica University Continuing Education courses and specially planned workshops held at the University.
Q. What does the Young Scholars LPP offer students?
The major components of the Young Scholars LPP are:
- Academic support, tutoring, and special review sessions (September–June)
- Counseling provided by social workers and staff (Year-round)
- Summer programming on the Utica University campus for students in grades 7-12 (July)
- Community service (Year-round)
- Enrichment activities, along with college and career exploration (Year-round)
- Mentor program involving community members (Year-round)
- Parent involvement and parent education program (Year-round)
- SAT Prep (Junior Year, January-May)
YSLPP continues to support program students from 6th grade into college, offering assistance for the entire 6-16 continuum. YSLPP offers:
- A full-day summer program on the University campus to students in grades 7-9,
- A full day summer program on the University campus to students in grades 10-12 that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Students participated in the third year of STEM Scholars in 2016.
- Utica University undergraduate students act as tutors to all students in grades 7-12 either during the day or after school,
- Adult mentors as role models,
- A telephone help line that calls all YSLPP students,
- Summer tutorial for all Regents classes (so that any student can retake a Regents exam in August if necessary),
- A staffed resource room at each site to assist students on a daily basis to facilitate tutoring,
- Working alongside a highly motivated group of peers generates high levels of student performance and persistence,
- Enrichment, community service opportunities, and field trips.
Q. How is the Young Scholars LPP funded?
In 1993, Utica College and the Utica City School District formulated an agreement outlining their mutual support of the Young Scholars program. Following receipt of a grant from Liberty Partnerships Program of the New York State Education Department in July 1994, the program became known as the Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program. Additional funds have been provided by numerous organizations and individuals, including The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc.
Q. How is the Young Scholars LPP managed?
Full-time staff members work directly with Young Scholars LPP students and supervise Utica University student tutors at three school sites. Administrative staff at the college coordinate curriculum, plan special events, and assist staff at the schools. An Advisory Board (consisting of representatives from the University, School District, and Greater Utica Communities) oversees the management of the Young Scholars LPP.
Q. Is College Free For Young Scholars?
The Utica University Promise
College is not free. However, Utica University will offer admission to all students who successfully complete the Young Scholars LPP. Eligible students will receive financial assistance consisting of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study allocations to meet their financial need. Financial need will be determined by the prevailing need-analysis methodology used at the time Young Scholars LPP students apply for admission.
Young Scholars LPP students are under no obligation to attend Utica University. Our students have enrolled at a number of excellent post-secondary institutions, the armed forces, and the workforce. The skills our students acquire in the Young Scholars LPP will help them succeed at any college or career.
Contact Us
John and Deanna Sammon Fund For Young Scholars
Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program (YSLPP), has received $1 million in funding to enhance and grow its programming for area students. Through the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, donors Dr. John and Deanna Sammon established the John and Deanna Sammon Fund for Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program to provide support for years to come.
Learn More / DonateYoung Scholars In The News
Meet Our Staff
- Executive Director for YSLPP
- Dir. Program Operations, YSLPP
- Assistant Director YSLPP
- Administrative Assistant III
School Staff
Jacquelyn Starsiak
Site Supervisor, JFK(315) 792-3237
jstarsiak@uticaschools.org
Jacquelyn is the Young Scholars Site Supervisor at John F. Kennedy Middle School. She joined YSLPP in September, 2009. Jacquelyn has been a School Counselor in the Utica City School District since 1997. Jacquelyn received a BS in Sociology/Psychology from the State University of New York @ Potsdam in 1987 and a MA in School Counseling from SUNY Oneonta in 1997.
Jacquelyn is dedicated to the youth of today, and works to empower them to be our leaders of tomorrow
Mark Mullen
Site Supervisor, Donovan(315) 792-3237
mmullen@uticaschools.org
Mark joined The Young Scholars team in 2020. He is a lifelong central New Yorker. Mark attended school in the Utica City School District, K-12. He went on to attend colleges in New York. Upon receiving his Master’s in Education from the College of Saint Rose, Mark began his career as a School Counselor at Proctor High School. Mark has been employed by the Utica City School District for the past 20 years, and he has worked in all three secondary buildings. In the Fall of 2020, Mark returned to the middle school level at Donovan Middle School. Mark enjoys spending time with his daughters, his wife, and their dog. He also enjoys fishing, hiking, playing tennis, and he is an avid Green Bay Packers fan.
Ya Ta Na Oo
Site Assistant, JFK(315) 792-3237
yaoo@utica.edu
Ya Ta Na is a 2024 graduate of Utica University with a B.A. in Mathematics and Adolescence Education. She is a former Young Scholars student, who joined the Young Scholars LPP staff as a Summer Program Teacher’s Assistant for 2023. Since then, she has stayed connected with the team by working as a STEAM Tutor at Proctor High School in Fall of 2023 and currently working as a Site Assistant at JFK Middle School. In Fall of 2024, she hopes to begin pursuing a Master’s degree in Inclusive Education at Utica University to better meet the needs of increasingly diverse student populations.
Thaw Lay
Site Assistant, Donovan(315) 792-3237
thlay@utica.edu
Thaw joined the Young Scholars team as a Site Assistant for Donovan Middle School in January 2024. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work here at Utica University as a foundation for her future career. She majored in psychology in undergraduate studies and graduated in December 2023. As a former Young Scholar, she is excited to work with the students and help them succeed in their dreams. She hopes that she can become a resource for children and adults alike in the future as a social worker.
Mikelle Deck
Student Support Coordinator, Donovan(315) 792-3237
mpdeck1@utica.edu
Mikelle started her journey with the Young Scholars program in 2019 as a Site Assistant at JFK Middle School soon moving her way up to Proctor High School as their Site Supervisor from 2020-2021. Presently, she has made her way back to the program as a Student Support Coordinator at Donovan Middle School. Graduating in 2021 with her Master’s in Education she knew that there was more to education journey and wanted to incorporate her love for mindfulness to connect deeper with her students. Following her passion for mindfulness in education she moved to Costa Rica for three months and left with a Mindfulness Instructor Certification. She now uses her passion and knowledge for Mindfulness and Mental Health to support her students at Donovan Middle School.
Shawna Jones
Middle School Social Worker - Donovan and JFK(315) 792-3237
smjones3@utica.edu
Shawna joined our team as the Middle School Social Worker in November 2024. She received her Master of Social Work from Keuka College in May 2024. Before Young Scholars, she was a Community Based Support Specialist at ICAN. She came to Young Scholars to fulfill her dream of becoming a social worker in a school setting to help students succeed in achieving their future dreams.
David Butler
Site Supervisor, Proctor(315) 792-3237
David joined the Young Scholars team as a Site Assistant in February 2023 and was promoted to Site Supervisor in 2024. He is a graduate of Thomas R. Proctor High School (class of 2009). David earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations with a minor in Art History from Colgate University. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education here at Utica University and looks forward to becoming a secondary teacher!
Sarah Cubbage
Site Assistant, Proctor(315) 792-3237
saedmond@utica.edu
Sarah is a Young Scholars and Utica University alumna (2021 & 2025). She has a Bachelor's degree in Psych-child life/Early Childhood Education. As a middle school and high school student, Young Scholars made a lasting impact on her as it jump-started her career path as an educator. As a staff member, she now values the opportunity to show current students how to take full advantage of their opportunities with the program.
Alyssa Freeman
Proctor Social Worker(315) 792-3237
anfreema@utica.edu
Alyssa joined YSLPP in October 2017 as a Counselor at Proctor High School. After graduating from Mohawk Valley Community College in 2012 she continued her education at SUNY Polytechnic Institute and in 2014 earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Alyssa then earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire in 2017 and she is a Licensed Master Social Worker. Alyssa has experience counseling in a school setting and is passionate about working with youth.
Alberto Garcia
Site Assistant, Proctor(315) 792-3237
algarcia@utica.edu
Alberto joined the Young Scholars team as a Site Assistant at Proctor High School in 2024. A 2020 Utica University graduate with a B.A. in Computer Science, he first worked with the Young Scholars team as a TA for the summer program in 2016. He stayed in touch and worked with the program during his undergraduate years at Utica University. After moving to pursue career opportunities, Alberto returned as a Proctor Site Assistant. Time away from academia only grew his passion for emboldening the confidence and strength of students, a passion that Utica University and Young Scholars initially sparked. Alberto is pursuing a masters in education from Utica University in hopes of paying back all that Young Scholars did for him as a student.
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